Simon Goodenough has delivered a stinging attack on the current administration at County Hall in his valedictory column in Ventnorensis, the magazine distributed to Friends of the Ventnor Botanic Garden.
He’s been in charge for nearly 25 years, but in February decided to take voluntary redundancy after the current Conservative administration created uncertainty as to the future of Ventnor Botanic Garden.
The last three paragraphs of Simon’s column are reproduced below.
There’s no getting away from it – It’s biting, very biting.
He starts off by referring to “the current crop of self-seeking politically motivated administrators” … and that’s when he’s being nice.
“Sewage spill … soon to be washed away!”
In the final paragraph he refers to those who don’t think VBG is of “major national importance” as “sewage spill”, who are “soon to be washed away!” (the exclamation mark is his)
Over his years at VBG, Simon hasn’t been afraid to speak his mind, more than a few times bringing him into conflict with County Hall.
As I leave Ventnor I am fiercely proud of the Garden’s achievements. That my initial vision from the Garden has been so dramatically brought to life by the dedication of the Garden Team who have resolutely been with me through thick and thin is a magnificent legacy not just for myself but for the earlier pioneers who shared a vision and a passion for a public botanic garden.
The fact that such enlightenment is not shared by the current crop of self-seeking politically motivated administrators is sad indeed but I am convinced that this is just another blip in the somewhat chequered history of Ventnor Botanic Garden. These straitened times will be tough but I would urge all the Friends to keep the faith and support VBG and the staff who remain with even more passion and pride.
Ventnor Botanic Garden is indelibly the Isle of Wight’s Heritage, it is of major national importance and it is a beacon of enlightenment. Those who think otherwise are wrong and are just passing through like a sewage spill after heavy rain, soon to be washed away!
Image: © Used with the kind permission of Patrick Eden Photography
